In The Flower Garden This November

Cut back the yellowing foliage of herbaceous perennial plants, and lift and divide overcrowded clumps to maintain their vigour.

Contine to lift dahlia tubers, gladiolus croms and begonias tubers to store dry over the winter months. Remove the dead foliage before storing.

Remove fallen leaves from around the base of any rose bushes which suffered from blackspot or rust this summer, to reduce the chance of reinfection next year.

Cut a few stems of holly with berries for making Christmas garlands. It’s early, but now’s the time to do it before the birds eat all the berries. Stand them in a bucket of water in a sheltered spot where birds can’t take them.

Insulate your outdoor continers from frosts. Use hessian or bubble wrap held in place with garden twine.

Lift and relocate plants if you need to when they are dormant.

Keep an eye on your potted conifers. Tall varieties may need staking for added security in exposed, windy gardens.

Top Tip:

Protect roses from wind-rock by pruning them by one-third to half their height. This will stop them swaying in strong wind and prevent roots coming loose in the soil.